http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/29/stories/2008032961351300.htm

National

Torture of Dalit woman rocks Assembly

K. Balchand


ATROCITY: A villager cuts the hair of Lalpari Devi alias Anita Devi,
alleged to be a witch, at Dumariya-Adlakchak village in Maner on
Thursday.

PATNA: The Opposition created a furore in the Bihar Assembly on
Wednesday raising the issue of humiliation and torture of a Dalit
woman in a village in Patna district on Thursday.

The Opposition accused the Nitish Kumar government of failing to
protect even women in the State. They alleged that Dalits were being
subjected to disgrace by feudal elements in the absence of the fear of
law. The Chief Minister agreed to make a statement on the incident
after having it investigated.

According to the police, Ramayodhya Rai of Adalchak Dumaria village
had tied 45-year-old Lalpari Devi, a Dalit, to a tree, beat her up
mercilessly and sheared her hair. The arrival of the police saved her
life.

Rai had called Lalpari Devi from a neighbouring village to treat his
mentally ill wife. When his wife's condition deteriorated, Rai vented
his anger against Lalpari Devi, accusing her of witchcraft. His
neighbours turned the scene into a frenzy. The police rescued her,
filed an FIR and arrested six persons, including Rai. Lalpari Devi was
admitted to hospital and released after treatment.

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